VIRUDHUNAGAR
At last, the Road Overbridge across Madurai-Tirunelveli broad gauge line on Ramamoorthy Road is all set for commissioning in the New Year.
After being delayed due to lot of legal tangles and also in execution of groundwork like shifting of street lights and water connections, the ROB has finally reached the finishing stage to bridge the Government Hospital in the eastern part of the town with a huge residential areas on the western parts.
The idea of constructing a ROB came up following a public outcry that many critically ill or critically injured patients rushed on ambulances to the GH get stuck at the railway level crossing and die before reaching the hospital. However, a section of residents opposed the project and tried to stall it through the court of law.
Meanwhile, the Government proposed to change the ROB to a Road Under Bridge which was opposed to a larger section of people who complained of frequent inundation of RUBs elsewhere due to rain.
However, after the court gave the final verdict, the work started in March 2016.
Before the work could gain momentum, it again got delayed inordinately as various agencies delayed the groundwork of shifting of electric posts, water lines and underground drainage connections after the entire road was dug up to erect 22 piers.
The residents suffered a lot due to dust and the impact was found on other parallel streets that were used for diversion of vehicles.
“The structure of the ROB is complete now. Only the approach roads on both ends and service roads were to be laid. But, we still need to complete the connection of manholes of underground drainage with underground pipes and also to provide domestic connections. Once, the Tamil Nadu Water Supply and Drainage Board completes the work, the ROB would be commissioned soon,” a NABARD and Rural Roads Wing of State Highways engineer said.
With the State Government deciding not to acquire any land for providing wider service roads, the officials have decided to provide service road with a minimum width of 3.250 metres on the southern side of the bridge.
“People on the northern side of the bridge can use the space between piers to cross over to the other side. Easily, an ambulance can pass through the service road,” the official added.
The Department of Highways has planned to open the bridge for road users by Pongal or by latest end of January.